ELECTION

03.12.12

Sarkozy Inches Up in French Poll

Francois Mori / AP Photo

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has narrowed the gap between himself and challenger François Hollande to less than 1 percent, according to a poll released Monday. It’s the closest Sarkozy has come to overtaking Hollande, though the poll also shows that only 45 percent of French voters would cast their ballot for Sarkozy in a May runoff. Only 27 percent of respondents think the incumbent’s campaign is the best one going. On Sunday, in what opponents said was an attempt to rev up the flagging effort, Sarkozy said he’d fight for stricter French trade and immigration standards unless the European Union tighten its enforcement.